Background: It was hypothesized that periodontal diseases may increase the risk of preeclampsia. To test this hypothesis, this study was conducted to determine the association between periodontal parameters and preeclampsia among women in the north of Jordan.
Methods: A case-control study was conducted among women who gave birth at Princes Badea Teaching Hospital between September 2004 and May 2005. A total of 115 preeclamptic women and 230 randomly selected controls were analyzed. The number of teeth, restorations, decayed tooth surfaces, and clinical periodontal parameters were determined within 24 hours after delivery. Information regarding participants' demographics, antenatal history, and family history were collected through personal interviews.
Results: After adjustment for potential confounding factors, there were no statistical differences between preeclamptic cases and normotensive controls with regard to mean periodontal probing depth, mean clinical attachment loss, mean gingival recession, mean plaque index, and mean gingival index. In addition, there were no significant differences in the percentages of sites with periodontal probing depth >/=3 or >/=4 mm, percentages of sites with clinical attachment loss >/=3 mm, number of filled surfaces, and number of missing teeth. Only the number of decayed surfaces was found to be associated with increased odds of preeclampsia (adjusted odds ratio of 1.13; 95% confidence interval of 1.02 and 1.25).
Conclusion: This study did not support the hypothesis of an association between periodontal parameters and preeclampsia.